According to federal regulators, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) were supposed to make roads safer. Instead, a comprehensive report on the effect of ELDs nationwide has found that unsafe driving behavior has “increased significantly” since ELD enforcement began.
A team of researchers from Northeastern University and the University of Arkansas has published a report on the effect of the ELD mandate. Using inspection, violation, and crash data from the FMCSA, the researchers examined a year before the ELD mandate went into effect, three months during the “soft enforcement” period, and five months from after full enforcement went into effect.
Pre-ELD, truck accidents averaged 1,717 per week. That increased to 1,912 per week during the soft enforcement period, and fell again to 1,703 during full enforcement. According to the report, “there is no evidence to suggest” that ELDs helped prevent accidents.
While the report does say that HOS compliance increased significantly under ELDs, it also points out the drawbacks of the rigid HOS structure. According to the report, “unsafe driving violations increased significantly.”
As more drivers adopted ELDs, the number of unsafe driving violations – such as speeding – spiked. And amongst those groups who had lower levels of voluntary ELD use (such as owner-operators and small fleets), those violations increased even more.
At the end of the report, the researchers claim that ELDs “unequivocally enhanced HOS compliance.” But because of that, ELDs “incentivize an increase in unsafe driving behavior, which is more tightly correlated to accident rates than hours of service violations.”
As a result, the report finds that “the effect of the [ELD mandate] is that accidents actually increased by between 2,290 and 3,266 per year.”
Source: researchgate, truckinginfo, overdrive
Shogun says
The research missed a critical component about the implementation of ELD.
When you had this accident or received a citation for speeding, were you:
A. rested
B. Very well rested
C. Super Rested
D. Rip Van Winkle Level of Rested
Charles says
LMAO
Spankman says
E L D only make you drive at a time when you should be resting and control owner ops money and cut back on company drivers money when companies have there trucks gov. to set speeds
mousekiller says
There is that word again. “Makes” Driver do something . No it doesn’t . The ELD just records your activities. The driver makes all the decisions. They push even if they say they don’t push. Got to get as far as they can before the 30 min break then it’s the same for the 11th hour. Few can or will stop prior to that last minute. No reason for Elog violations nor for most of the incidents and accidents today.Poor driver decision is I think the biggest reason for them.
Sher says
No driver “makes” him or herself take extra risks of driving in hazardous conditions, or puts themselves in violation trying to find a safe haven..if you really believe drivers make all the decisions then maybe you should look at reality, drivers are being coerced and intimidated into job performance on a constant basis. If you were threatened with the inability to provide for your family unless you push yourself would you? Becausev that is in fact what’ happening these days..drivers are being controlled by the companies, brokers, dispatchers they drive for..failure or refusal to perform regardless of risk is punished by loss of wages. Think about that.
David Jones says
Well said. I agree. Too many idiots on the roads these days. Sad. Looking forward to getting out.
WAYMOND LANE says
They increased the accident rate since the mandate for them at least before I had the opportunity to take a break if I was tired when I was tired not when they made me and IAM smart enough to park and it’s just about the money and control
Steve says
Drivers have to drive all day now and can’t take a nap without going over the hos so they drive all day tired. At least I do. Then at the end of a long shift I sleep for 5 or 6 hours and wake up to the noise of the road and wait for 2 hours before I can drive. I twirl my thumbs alot for 2 hours. And by then I’m tired and legal to drive
Daniel White says
Don’t need eld. Stupid idea. Mega carriers like the fact they can compete with 25 yr. Owner-operator. The mega carrier has a raw recruit.
Digitalage says
Les
You are absolutely correct I was coming in here to tell him the same thing, obviously a comment from somebody that doesn’t drive a truck,
Oh and sher is 100% correct
Rick Bailey says
Sher… Drivers make the ultimate decision, No Load Is Worth Your Life. Driver shortage is the drivers best asset. Company A does it your way, pack your stuff and move to company B. I’m an O/O, I was leased to a company that would start my week with a day load. Arrive at delivery in the evening, unload next am, then would sit me all day and expect me to run all the next night doing grocery stops. Did that for three weeks, told them I wasn’t rolling my truck for anyone and left. That was 3.5 years ago, still with company B.
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
Well said…train better drivers who have a brain and take the responsibility seriously
Flash says
Really? I’m guessing in my 26 yrs of driving I’ve more miles in reverse than you have miles. I just started using ELD’s three months ago after driving for an exempt company in the oilfields and I can tell you that Robo Boss with that big digital display constantly reminding you of what little time you have left added with delivery schedules and strict appointment times, winter weather and rush hour traffic not to mention today’s poorly trained driver who takes 20 min to park a truck or wants to take his break while blocking the fuel island I myself being from the U.P. of Michigan find that I’m driving a little beyond my comfort zone in adverse when everything is Beat The Clock.
Albert Ferguson says
“Poor driver” decision is I think the biggest reason for them. And I think “poor drivers” make decisions “poor drivers” gotta make cause they are POOR!
David says
If you stop after 10:30 hr then your not using the 11hr you are suppose to have you should have 30min to find parking
Tom Presley says
The word “make” should be “motivates” the Drivers to push the petal to the metal an rush to beat the clock before their 8, 11 or their 14 hour clock limit is reached thus creating a unsafe environment motivating Drivers to not make rash or intelligent driving decisions.
Remember Big Brother knows best regardless of the facts of Drivers having different bio-rhythms, break-times, sleeping and eating habits.
Me personally, I’m still waiting on when I have to put in the ELD that I went to the toilet, scratched a part of my body, almost urinated on myself driving through Atlanta GA.
Butch McTavish says
I have to keep driving when I’m tired because ELD penalizes me if I stop.
Paper logbook I used to rest when i needed to !!
David says
I needed this lolololol
Ryan says
That’s funny.
Gary Samuels says
YES THATS RIGHT. MOST LIKELY THE DRIVERS THAT WERE RUNNING ILLEGAL PAPER
Ray Bowers says
Here’s another problem is that the office lies to drivers like there a politician.you can’t get a hold of them or they lie and blame the drivers.i think most of all wrecks are from the office .
Bjg says
You need to find a new company if you can’t trust them. I don’t have all the answers, but I worked for a company like that. Being a previous driver, I sided with the drivers. Thus my demise at that particular company !
Pete389 says
Hey Gary,
I’m guessing you believe that everything ells in the country is legal, and this will be the final touch to make all perfect, regardless of safety concerns.
James says
Did you read the article? If not then dont comment. The HOS should not be the end-all be-all of safety. I ran my paper log according to my body and according to traffic times in major cities. Guess what 3.5 mil accident free. Anytime someone is put up against a hard timer they will usually make a bad decision. I drive tired now more than I ever did before.
Dennis says
Drivers are treated like airline pilots, but paid like dog catchers. I’m all for getting the big bucks and working 100 a month.
Flash says
AMEN!! Paper definitely gave you wiggle room to take a nap.
Kim says
That’s right. Twenty years ago I rested when I wanted yet drove more miles then now at times. Being told when I can rest also leaves me more tired . Feel rushed alot of times now to try and get as much driving in the mandated time which in turn probably causes more frustration
Rich says
Amen to that brother! I think we need to seriously thin out the herd.
Ray Bowers says
Drivers work to many hrs a week and then start recapping when there tired.they need to work less hrs and be paid more money and dispatch needs to stay off there back.thats the problem.and drivers now days are not trained well.
Ray Bowers says
Also.ive been driving over 30 yrs and no wrecks and I know your right about pushing drivers from inside the office it’s about them not the fault of elogs.i was told I wasn’t doing my job when in fact I all ways have.i got a 100%inspection.new truck and safety award. I was fired because I put in a complaint about my dispatcher who treated drivers like dirt.
John Hazlett says
I think e-logs are a good thing. The problem is that The Companies and The Brokers still
want to try to find ways around it. So, they max you out on the time frame, all of a sudden, you have to race the clock to get pulled over in time to park. If you’re stuck somewhere, you can’t move. I know one Company that will make you take back to back 10 hour breaks to make it look legal, but now your up for day and a half. It will only work if you implement Commense Sense guidelines and quit being so strict about not moving when all you want to do is find a place to shut down so you can recuperate !
Pete389 says
LMAO, nice one. Thanks for the much needed laugh.
Mark says
Wow, who would have thought that?
Uh, every driver out there. Just another case of a desk jockey having no effing clue about life on the road.
Joseph Williams says
No kidding.. Surprise, surprise..
Michael Sullivan says
As I predicted due to the current rate of goods needing to be delivered and the fact that dispatchers say you need to get there work within the system oh yeah ELD does nothing but put pressures on drivers that need to make x amount of dollars in the same time allotted make sure you drive in high traffic times oh yeah such a good idea let’s make the road safer let’s make them all ELD compliant wow we had a thousand over a thousand more accidents does a eld’s putting pressure on drivers to work within the 14 hour rule I agree another case of disc jockeys that have no clue
Sergeant Saunders says
If you want to make a good impression, please use the fundamentals of composition as taught in the second grade such as punctuation, capitalization and sentence structure. Typing on long run-on sentence without any punctuation is ridiculous in this day and age. Come on people, let’s put our best foot forward!!!
Corde says
Hush. This aint English class.
Sher says
Good call Corde! Doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as it is understandable. Spell check is the culprit lol
mike stanturf says
and it aint typin class either
R Barnby says
Some drivers did not make it through second grade
MARKROBERT MURPHY SR says
APPARENTLY ENUFF TO EMPLOY DESK TROLLS………….TEAM WORK WHN DRIVERS MAKE 99% OF TEAM WORK ………WORK
Slave to an owner says
Ah, maybe they don’t know how?
Danny says
That was for the English teacher
Joe Barilari says
Best foot is busy on the gas peddle
Richard says
Practice what you preach. Private.
Radar says
Sergeant, you nailed it! Finally, someone stated the facts! If anyone wants to be believed about their written opinion, LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY TYPE! If you don’t, then the so-called “Professionals”, who are forcing ELD’S on us, won’t believe our opinions about the ELD’s, because they are laughing at how you type, and, therefore, are laughing at your ability to do your job without governmental control. Don’t make yourself look dumb, while typing your thoughts, and, then, you won’t be perceived as being dumb! If you write poorly, then you will not be respected.
stonefly says
Don’t make yourself look dumb while typing your thoughts and you won’t be perceived as being dumb!
Sorry ’bout that. I’m a comma guy.
Pete389 says
I hope this makes you feel better. , ? , : .
Rogrrr says
Yes Sir, Sergeant!! But please be careful- somma dese guys might wanna punctuate youse in da face.
C L. says
Yeah, it would be nice not to have to drive during peak traffic times. It would be nice to be able to stop and wait until after rush hour through a large city, then proceed. But we have to keep going to squeeze (or try to) into that 14 hour time frame.
John Barrigar says
I’ve been driving for 20 years. The accidents aren’t due to ELD. It’s the lack of proper training. Mega companies are allowing people with 3 – 6 months experience to be trainers. This occupation requires the use of commen sence. Which is also a big lack of.
Don Porche' says
So true
Michael says
How are elds putting pressure on the drivers?oh yea,you cant lie and break the law.what a concept,elds are great,they putting the carriers in check!if,you cant run legally,stay home!
Wallmart always needs door greeters!
Youngblood says
I can tell you haven’t been driving long and ,if u did u don’t know trucking that well
Scott Moats says
Anyway!
Jay says
He’s the type of driver that drives 300 miles n go to sleep that’s why the truckstops always full before 3 pm
Jason Holmes says
you meant lie down and rest rather than wait to be loaded half the day and then have to meet a 8am deadline the next day for a 700 mile run…..or be penalized for being late.seem to me,ALL THE PROS ARE RIGHT….and everyone want to regulate to claim a driver or O/Os earnings.
1st year driver i am,i pay attention real good though.
MARKROBERT MURPHY SR says
NO…..HES AH DISHWASER WYTH SUSPENED LIC………THTS WHO
Gearjammer says
Why are we all held to the same standard of who needs how much sleep? I don’t need to sit in a truck stop sleeping 10 hours a day, maybe if you need that much sleep every day you’re the one who needs to be the greeter at Wal-Mart.
Nance says
I personally had to wash clothes ,eat dinner, make my phone calls to home,and do all those catch-up things during that 10 hours plus get some sleep..
Rick Bailey says
And that has nothing to do with the ELD. That’s HOS, stay on point.
K. Tee says
I believe that is only 8 hrs of sleep with an hour of off duty time on each side of it. Some drivers actually take showers, get breakfast or dinner, work out a little ……. You know hygiene and health stuff. Just because someone agrees with the ELD doesn’t mean they are new drivers. And just because you are parked at a truck stop doesn’t mean you are asleep. And yes the choice on how far you are pushed is completely up to the driver. Own it…be responsible .
Jeff says
AMEN gearjammer hell if I ever slept 10 hrs you better check my pulse I may get 4-5 hrs sometimes 6
Justin Kline says
Thanks but no thanks mr werner, nobody cares the company you are slave to “invented” the eld. It is all about keeping you on the road away from family, because your family will keep you away from road if werner lets you push a little to see them. ELD is about tracking the flow of goods and punishing under performers.
Steve says
Yes I said large fries and coke please
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
Work for a company where safety just changed the drivers eld log when it suited them. Nothing changes until we have better trainen, responsible drivers who will do the right thing. Been doing it for years
James says
So instead of breaking the law by cheating a piece of paper, you would rather drivers speed, drive recklessly, or run 30 mph through the truckstop looking for a place to park with 1 minute to go? You are probably one of those that trained with a guy with 3 months experience and have never ran a paper log.
Midnight Express says
This is simply a fact gathering mission. Once enough data is in ti support their agenda of having R2D2 driving the trucks we’ll be out of a job and building a wall that eventually we’ll all want to cross over!
Mike says
It seems since drivers are being evaluated by electronic devices they need to push the load harder and faster. Resulting in speeding, quickly getting about where they need to go. They sacrificed being able to maybe adhere to driving safer w/ paper logs in not needing to rush as much. Though some naïve people took advantage of paper logs and pushed themselves over the limit resulting in accidents. I didn’t like Electronic logs *only* because ex: say I get to my drop off but im right at the near limit on my driver log w/ hours and I cant back in the dock in time for not going over my hours just barely (this will result as an infraction if I do that even though im there and not going to drive afterwards). So I have to park it till I get my hours back or what not. That was ridiculous. I agree w/ electronic logs to a certain degree, but I don’t agree w/ all of the rules about it like just backing into a dock to unload and then maybe parking it afterwards
Jigga says
My clock doesnt even activate driving in reverse or driving very slowly. Have you tested it to see if your clock turns on while backing or driving very slowly?
David says
The administrator of you companies ELD system can adjust the speed that it records that the vehicle is in motion.. as well as inable the personal conv. while off duty..
Mike C. says
mine asks what kind of personal conv.are you on. Then it says , not allowed . So what the other drivers are doing is until they get to their start finish point they will not log in . They will go on duty when they get to their start point and pretrip at the same time . When they finish at the end of day they log out then drive to the terminal .
James says
Those miles are still recorded and eventually the company or the DOT will catch them during an audit.
Leonard Ives says
Mine activates at inches per hr.
Robert Wilson says
WOW, that sucks. Mine activated at 5 mph giving me time to crawl to or out of a door. In my experience, the ELD makes almost all truck drivers speed to make miles and time. The authorities (police) then pull out the stops to catch truckers speeding leading to more revenue. The ELD is simply another tax but also leading to poor driving records. I broke my circadian sleep rythym a hundred times before I quit long haul.
Mike C. says
mine take a while to activate to driving and from driving to on duty but if I move the truck at all for any reason it will record as in motion the minute you move .
Max says
I work for a large ‘training’ company. The ELD puts you on the drive line if you simply release your brakes while the engine is idling. The compliance office have the limits set so tight, no one is legal outside their exact 11/14 clocks.
Glad I don’t drive anymore.
Alex says
That’s ridiculous dude my company allow up to a certain speed 10 mph and not kick drive time, good for movement around dcs. Also I use personal conveyance a lot my co has around 30 min of PC drive time after I run out of my 14 but it has to be for ‘food’ or ‘shower’
Cherokee says
PC time can only legally be used if bobtail and you must go back to the original spot that you logged on to it to log out of it. Just mentioning it because most companies including mine never tell drivers this.
Brandon says
Cherokee, you’re mistaken and not up to par on the ruling of the FMCSA for personal conveyance. You can use it even when you’re loaded, laden, pulling a trailer or empty trailer. Must be for the drivers benefit, not the company, and must not advance the load. Can be used to leave a shipper or receiver when you’re out of hours also. No need to go back to the same spot you began using PC.
Gentoo says
Yeah same here. I drove for a large company and if the truck moved more than 10 mph, it would put you in drive mode. There was a time I had to leave a shipper creeping off their property and then down the street to find a place to park.
James Nelson says
Sure glad mine doesn’t work that way I can go 2 miles before if automaticity switches to driving mode
Agnes Walker says
I can go 3 miles before mine kick in
MARKROBERT MURPHY SR says
EYINGOYY………URE RETIREMENT.~`_.,-;
Ayisha says
That’s because you have the AOBRD software. It gives you 2 miles of driving before it kicks into drive mode. But it doesn’t not apply when taking your 30 so beware. And that software is almost out of date according to these new ELD laws. It has to be updated to be in compliance by December this year. So be prepared for an update to occur. After the update you won’t even be able to touch your steering wheel without it switching status on you. Not exaggerating. If you’re use to grabbing your steering wheel when you climb in or out of your truck get into the habit now of grabbing something else. Put your wheel up when you park so you don’t hit it accidentally climbing in and out. They really screwed us on this madate BS. I wish these dunce hats would ride with us for a month. A whole month so they can truly see what they’ve done to us.
Thomas Madden says
You are so full of it
Pete389 says
Use the passenger door. LOL….Oh man, you are really full of it.
Jon says
Unfortunately every truck is a little different it seems, some are more sensitive to movement than others, and location seems to matter. I got a “dock” hours violation like he said, yet I had made similar moves & even longer moves before in other locations without it doing that.
K. Tee says
I believe that is only 8 hrs of sleep with an hour of off duty time on each side of it. Some drivers actually take showers, get breakfast or dinner, work out a little ……. You know hygiene and health stuff. Just because someone agrees with the ELD doesn’t mean they are new drivers. And just because you are parked at a truck stop doesn’t mean you are asleep. And yes the choice on how far you are pushed is completely up to the driver. Own it…be responsible .
Pete389 says
Just like wives, or a significant others…LOL
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
It monitors all activities, used to set and monitor for last company I worked gor. It’s set to companies choice
Charles says
Well said and very accurate.
Hernando says
Trash the ELD mandate or feel the wrath of truckers on 4/12/2019 hope to see you there.
Jon says
The government busted the unions, but drivers still have huge power, but a really effective protest would create huge negative impacts, lots of drivers would be fired, but carriers still need to move the freight, so really we’d all just switch companies.
DO IT drivers, take back your rights and pride from
Those who have hijacked it!
Rodney R Nelson says
Lots drivers fired hell they dont have enough now.Thats right take back your rights need to show dam goverment who is in charged we still had unions wouldnt be none of these dam eld.
Pete389 says
Good luck. Face it, we’re the modern day slaves.
Lady Doe says
WHO EVER IS HEADING THIS OFF, NEED TO START PUTTING OUT FLYERS AT THE TRUCK STOP THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO SO. LESS GET THE WORD OUT. WE CAN SHOW THEM BETTER THAN WE CAN TELL THEM.
Sher says
Yes Hernando..perhaps this article is a sign they are beginning to take notice!
Steve says
Ill be there,not sure were there is but ill be parked to help get the point across
Bernard Dembowski says
When government sticks nose into something they know nothing about it goes right in the toilet as usual. When the 8 and 10 rule was in effect it made a lot more easier to drive and stay compliant but stagnant wages Corp. Greed golden parachutes to top executives in industry destroyed any increase in drivers wages
Jc says
Agree
Km says
Dah!!! It’s because drivers are rushing to “Beat the clock”. Right or wrong it ends up ( more with others) happening.
ie.. you’ve got 15 mins left before Having to take a 30 min break, yet your 13 minutes from your stop…you know exactly what I mean.
Donald W Darling says
YES I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ,,,,BASICALLY YOU DONT PLAN YOUR LOADS ,,,DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAN YOUR LOADS BECAUSE IF YOU PLAN YOUR LOADS YOU WILL NEVER BE LATE AND as for that 30 min . break mandatory it has been required for california drivers even on paper log books to take that 30 min. break for 20 years and i bet you did not know that, OSHA has been enforcing that on all truck drivers in california for 20 years
pete says
what’s is california. never heard of it!!!!!!!
Digitalage says
Bwahaha, it’s a forgotten cult
Isaiah says
I never enjoyed the ELD systems every time somebody is using a computer to teach you about life matters being physical there is always a problem and I’m major cost put it this way is it a computer or human nature that teaches a baby how to walk
Hoyt Webb (Sundowner) says
I have 40 years of accident free driving over the road in all 48 but I have had so many near accidents since ELD mandated it’s scary. It’s not just the other drivers, The ELD is driving my truck now, I get paid by the mile.
I drive sleepy after sitting in the truck stop for hours sitting in a spot I often have to pay for staring out the windshield unable to sleep but unable to drive due to ELD. Large companies with ATA pushed these regulations. Not for safety but to drive Independents out of business, Not rent to own operators but true independents.
Youngblood says
This man knows what he is saying. But some idiot will say he just wants to cheat
Jason Holmes says
he is right.gov. regulates to line their pockets,or just take from yours/ours…
Scott Moats says
Yeah, did some reading about such,thought someone had the proof of such meetings taking place with higher ups on both sides?
Pete389 says
Hey Hoyt,
Given your 40 years experience, what do you think about a system that gives a driver daily miles driven allowance? Pre ELD norms were 700 miles per 14 HOS 11 drive in most States. If they can approve a system that permits a driver to go 700 miles without a time frame before they have to park it for 8-10 hours, and regulate the truck speed to 70MPH max. This way a driver can actually plan a trip, doesn’t have to speed, drive when it’s safe and fit to, avoid traffic, and not to contribute to it. The 700 hundred can start after a truck reach speeds of 35 MPH (Not a Interstate speed) And it won’t reset if it drops the speed below 35 after words. This will allow for yard moves, nearby pickups, delivery where you have to sit, or sleep on a dock door for hours. This will give the flexibility a driver needs, and address the safety concern the DOT has, and if the safety is their main concern, it’ll be a good idea to spend a good chunk of that 2 billion budget they have to educate 4 wheelers about how to behave around big rigs on the road, and not do stupid things that might get them killed.
Km says
One other point. Why in God’s name do they always go to the “Universities” for these so called studies.
I don’t recall having any professors on the road with me taking notes..have any of you?
Dale A Johnson says
It doesn’t require a CDL to tabulate and analyze data.
Donald W Darling says
YOU might want to think who was the main contributor to having drivers use the ELDS systems ,,,,and they are OOIDA
Rick Bailey says
So wrong, all it takes is a Google search. Can’t post links in here, I tried.
stonefly says
OOIDA fought against the ELD mandate all the way.
mog says
lollol so true
Mjaxon7 says
Check mate thank you!
Paul says
They are just correlating the statistics turned in by law enforcement…they don’t need seat time to put numbers together…HOWEVER…the morons who make the rules having never spent one second in a truck, well, that’s another storupy!!
Kimberly Woods says
Good Point , I guess they use just what the computers says ,lol
Pete389 says
I always have my dog with me. Does that count? LOL
Gary says
Ooohhh HOS compliance increased thank God. These buffoons in DC actually believe 14 on and 10 off for solos is a good idea to begin with. It works against the body’s clock every succeeding day. ELDs only force compliance of a flawed system. And shippers and receivers still want their products picked up and delivered in a timely fashion… more JIT loads than ever now.
President Trump please drain the DOT Swamp already and get some retired truckers in there who know what it takes and can separate fiction from reality.
Robert Wilson says
I am sorry but Clinton and Trump could careless about truckers. Nobody cares. Everyone be sick 04/12/19
Bill says
We tried to tell them.
No surprise.
Patrick Card says
Annually, there are more inexperienced (cmv) drivers making it out on the road. I don’t have a problem with ELD’s. It even gives a driver an extra hour to get to a “safe haven” under PC, personal convenience. The fault lies with the drivers not technology.
Maria says
Not every company allows personal convenience. My company doesnt allow us this choice, we run on peoplenet and its up to the companies. Also my truck kicks onto driving at 5 mph. and at 1/2 mile stretch. We use to be able to take a nap if you get tired without it going against our 14hr rule. This is why there is alot of accidents. So now we push ourselves to keep going because we will run out of time if we dont even though we get tired. Sitting for the 30min break just helps you get tired because your relaxing then you have to get going again, so how is this safe. Ive been driving for 31yrs.
K. Tee says
Why don’t you take that nap during your 30 min break then instead of just sitting. That doesn’t even make sense.
Rosalee says
Get real,
Don Porche' says
So true plan your work and work your plan 👍. What needs to happen is to crack down on shippers and receivers to get you in and out in a timely reasonable manner. Let the government start to take money out of there pockets and you can solve a lot of HOS problems.
Jason Holmes says
afrigginmen! thats the biggest problem.
Jerry says
That there are more instances of unsafe driving now shows me how many cheated before. I have been on elds for around 5 years and when there are problems doing a run on time a second truck picked up the load or proper planning was done to allow sufficient hours to do a run. If drivers have to rush to deliver aload that shows a lack of planning at dispatch level. After my 20th year driving I stopped giving a crap about freight “having to be there” I don’t order the load, manufacture it, or load it but somehow it’s all on me if it’s late? Sorry, I love elds because now I just say I was out of hours, can’t cheat elds, sorry I’m late. Now it’s genuinely not my fault because I am not forced to cheat my log book to get it there.
Dale A Johnson says
Well said. I stopped giving a crap about an arbitrary delivery date/time that some desk jockey factored based on distance and avg speed. Oh never mind terrain, interstate or state route, weather, major cities, etc. Yes, I make almost all appts on-time, but that recent 677 miles through the Alleghanies in snow for the next morning didn’t have a chance.
Donald W Darling says
when you are driving a load always make sure you have the number to contact the consignee ,to tell them why you will be late do to weather and dont allow your dispatch to do it because they will always make your load late and put it on you most consignee will love to hear from the driver because the driver is on the road with their load and only the driver knows when he can put it in so call the consignee and dont tell your dispatch ,,because dispatch thinks they are GODS and you are suppose to be just another dumb truck driver to them
Donald W Darling says
so true but a good company will set the date and time of delivery of a load by when you say you can get it there a bad company like werner tells you when to deliver it so you can nevver get it there ontime but when you plan your load and tell them when it will deliver then the company set with the consignee when they will deliver the load and you will never have a late load
Alex c says
U not using ure time properly, according to our dispatch
mog says
I love it your so right the only driver,see having a hard time are the cheaters
Donny Carden says
Yes but when you’re a one truck operation you can’t call for another truck to take your load without it costing a lot of money you can tell you drive for company and have no idea how the real world works
Scott Moats says
Thumbs up!
shogun says
You realize they can see your HOS in real time, right? Would hate for you to get in trouble telling a lie to your dispatch if you weren’t really out of hours.
Corde says
Yea but you will miss money bc you are late and they will have to work you in or reschedule til the next day… so your 20yrs. Make you sound stupid. Unless you are a company driver.
K. Tee says
Amen to that.
rickey luper says
eld needs to go!!! 33 years on the road and this is the worse thing they have done to truckers.
Donald W Darling says
if you been driving for 33 years you would know that werner has been doingELDS for more than 20 years and usxpress has been running ELDS for over 15 years ,but if you know anything about ELDS and an owner op then you would know you can run multiple apps that have excepted DOT ELDS approved by DOT you can run multiple ELDS just like multiple paper log books ,,,because before you send in your logs on ELDS you can do corrections on them so you can doctor any ELDS logs so you will have hour upon hours to drive LEGALLY
Don Porche' says
You can doctor everything but driver time.
K. Tee says
Except the fact that drive time is not editable and all edits can be pulled up for viewing by the police and they will be able to see the original log before edit. If they question it you have to be prepared to prove the legitimacy of the edit.
Laura says
Agree
Leonard Ives says
No, the worst thing was for gov. to get involved in the first place.
Donald W Darling says
first of all the quality of experience of the drivers on the road is at an all time low ,they have not been trained properly and when they drive on snow and ice they drive like its a normal dry road ,the accidents that are happening has nothing to do with ELDS it has to do with stupid drivers that cant and will not plan their loads so they still drive by the seat of their pants if you went back to log books ,the young and inexperienced driver will double in accidents because accidents occure when drivers are not trained ,and the companies only care about putting them on the road , stupid drivers are just stupid drivers
Mar says
Agreed @ Jerry. SInce ELD’s all I see now is rigs in a big hurry no lane control etc. Tapping on a phone likely. Cars are nuts too, they care nothing about trucks. I live in a quiet part of the country, I cant imagine what a big city would be like. Yup I cant see that ELD’s have solved much except for as Jerry says it helps as far as you can say out of hours sorry : ). My company already tried to get me to unhook the ELD one day when I was behind. I said nope and don’t ask me again.
Greg says
On point; not the drivers but the Dispatchers/Brokers/Carrier Corps pushing the limit thus pushing drivers to get the product to destination! Though I don’t like them, ELDs are not the problem so much as the rest of the Logistic/Transportation industry with unrealistic requirements for load delivery in what is now a highly regulated industry on more levels than the rest of US drivers have any clue about. I have a Good Idea; How About the Industry Stop Trying To Do More With Less! It means stop trying to increase/enhance corporate profit margins at the expense of others trying to make a honest living doing what other look down on as a profession. We are in the era of doing more with less and our profession is mixed in the fray of hype. Live and drive by realistic goals when trying to deliver a load. Plan the trip and always take into account changes in the plan such as those mentioned earlier, i.e., weather, traffic, accidents…If you are not going to make it according to “their” plans, Foxtrot “EchoM”; think about yourself and your family and the ability to continue to make a honest living!
Douglas Kirk says
You cut your own throat if you unhook it…..sure, it doesn’t record anything, but it will show that you messed with it and the inspector can see that.
As far as repowering a load: I have a 1 truck fleet, as do a zillion other guys.
Anybody that loves this stuff is an idiot. Why do you need a computer program to do your thinking for you? It just makes people drive tired, with no incentive to do otherwise. Can’t take a nap anymore, you will run out of hours. Wide awake? Sorry, you can’t drive because the magic clock invented by a clueless retard says so.
SMDH
Scott Moats says
Couldn’t have said it better,bud.
David King says
Yes and no. Company can turn it off in office if they want you to go and update it after delivery alll by choice. Anyti.e your eld is not working you must use paperlog until its back working. So driver or company can turn it off anytime either choose too.
ELD is backdoor getting bacj to regulated trucking controlled by major carriers, only thing now is Urber is getting in the business of frieght that will take it away from carriers and give it back to drivers.
Don’t give up your Authority just yet. Its coming back to the O/O
Dwain says
That is a no brainer. Everyone has to race the clock now. Took a real genius to think it would make the roads safer. Lmao. But we all know what the real purpose of the law is and that is control and putting the small companies out of business
Alex c says
Just a,big shortage of people with brains, u can do it mentality
Mr says
Well I drove with a ELD this year for the first time . Always used paper or paper like apps ( KeepTruckin) . I will say this I always cheated on my logs ! I never got sleepy behind the wheel or had to speed .paperlog is100% safer than ELD . When I got sleepy I just pulled over and took a nap and never had to push the speed limits. BUT now with this clock staring at me I find myself doing all kinds of unsafe stuff smh . No time to even stop and use bathroom sometimes or relax and eat. And that 30 min break is the stupidest thing ever ! I remember having to stop two mins from my receiver just to sit on the side of the road for 30 min . Presently working my way out of trucking ! Good luck drivers …..
David says
I was exactly as you wrote it 🙂 Thank God I retired last year 🙂
TexasJester says
Pretty much what I was going to say.
We are racing that clock all day, with zero flexibility. A few years ago, I picked up a load in McCook, NE, going to the southeast, and had a snowstorm in western Kansas coming my way. If I had stopped at the end of my hours, I would have been stuck for several days – instead, I “borrowed” some 3 hours from the next day and made it to Salina, and beat the storm.
5 minutes from your end-of-day parking spot, and you run out of hours because of unexpected traffic or weather? Tough – you have to stop on the side of the road or off-ramp for 30 minutes (or 10 hours!). Old days? Go that 5 minutes, park safely, and don’t worry about it.
David King says
Love it when you start your clock and pickup at 13:00 so you need to be off clock at 3 AM and no where to park and to dot says you should have thought about parking hours ago. Really want to smack them, but instead be nice and say dude their is no place for me to park except that ramp with no parking sign and when I park you give me a ticket, tell me I must move or be towed, then be cited by eld as driving violations. So officer where is a parking place. Some can tell you many can’t and say thats your problem.
Michael Scott says
Yep, got my first commercial speeding ticket trying to find parking before the clock ran out. In 37 years.
Brian March says
Now it is a race against the ELD,its more stress and speed to try to beat the clock!!!!
R.J. says
What a surprise…government involvement made a situation worse ! ! !
TexasJester says
“The nine scariest words in the English language: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”
– Ronald Reagan
Don Porche' says
So true
Jim Gilley says
I have stated once before …I dont mind pushing a button to mark down my activities…this helps me not to stress out from having to remember what I did and at what time….but I have seen that if a shipper or receiver takes 4 hours to load or unload you ….then you lose time ….putting you under pressure to get to your next stop …..also I have seen that yes you can drive 640 miles in 11 hours …but did they consider slow downs due to construction or general traffic jams or various weather conditions….these are just a few things that takes time away ..putting the driver under more pressure….many times I had a S/R burn up valuable time and would not let me do my 10 hour rest on there property…… the nearest safe haven was 15 minutes away this resulted in a heavy fine that I could not afford…..and I also had to pay penalty for being late because I ran out of legal time ….to make up for the loss of time I have to drive 10 or 15 MPH over the posted limit ….it is very clear that those desk jockey jerks dont really know what life on the road is really like………….
Mack says
@Jerry. Jerry, what I got from your comment is that you were always a lazy driver looking for an excuse, and now you got one. The ELD. Like you I also have well over 20 years driving big rig behind my belt. I think I met you before. Or rather I met your type before. I won’t go into detail as it is not my intention to put somebody down on this here discussion panel. But you know what I’m talking about.
Steven Evans says
Don’t be fooled they’re ( DOT) not really worried about the safety out there. If they were then why would they permit certain truckers to run 18 hrs per day. Others to run limitless on hours. Yes if you run MILK you’re allowed to rum unlimited or if you run CATTLE you can 18 hrs a day. If you run oil don’t even worry about it.
I too predicted that the ELDs would only make WORSE.
DG says
Um, i run raw milk, straight from the farm, and we have to abide by the same stupid 14/10 rule as everyone else. We are just exempt from ELDs. For now.
Jason says
Unsafe driving was happening long before Eld’s were implemented. It’s a choice to speed, tailgate, etc etc. we’re not forced to stay in this job or any job. I’m tired of hearing all these excuses. Remember, it was a choice to get your ‘Class A’ license, we weren’t forced to get it!
Robert Wilson says
Yes or work at Walmart for 6-7 dollars an hour, yes, there was a choice.
Trokerito says
What a stupid argument !!!
Randy L Winston says
35 plus year veteran drivers such as myself knew the results would be negative. All drivers are not the same. We are not robots therefore we should never have a computer telling us how to do our job. The Federal Government has no idea what we do to keep things rolling on time…Leave Us Alone…let each individual drivers records speak for us instead.
John P Daley says
ELD’s create a “beat the clock” mentality. Drivers have to take a 1/2 hr break by their 5th hour. They can’t drive more than 11 in a 14hr period. The first thing I noticed when ELD’s became mandatory is rest areas filled up a lot more. Yet this has seemed to make NO difference in accident rates and other violations are up.
Don Porche' says
No John if you work the 14 hour clock you should in my opinion take your 30 min break between the 7th and 8th hour so that you have time to start your trip go pick up a load and keep trucking, if you take it in hour 5 you might end up taking 2 30 min breaks if load or unload on that day.
Donald W Darling says
it is up to the driver to know all the laws for diving in every state that they drive in whether it ELDS or PAPER LOGS ,,,it dont matter,,, if you dont know the laws then maybe you were not trained properly ,,, you cant blame your problems on everybody else because you dont do your job right
Chris says
The article actually hinted at the REAL problem… It’s the HOS that is the problem not the ELD… The ELD just keeps you honest… The HOS definitely needs to be reworked… As does penalties for locations that have excessive instances of detention
Chad says
I know I’ll draw fire for this, but I’m willing to bet most of the dangerous/not particularly great driving behaviors my roomie butt sees aren’t all or even mostly ELD related. I get that regulation sucks, but when I see full length rigs trying to thread the needle between two others, or CONSTANTLY watch them drive up cars’ bumpers doing 75, etc, I’m disincloned to think those daily observations were
Created by ELDs. Those habits existed before and will continue to do so. Also, doing an 8 month sample vs a 12 month sample can skew the data. What months were covered in the 8 month period, etc? I know I’m brand spanking new to this, my family of truckers notwithstanding, but that’s just my observation. Stay safe guys (and gals)!
Aidas says
Actually was thinking what the hell happened to me.. I used to drive relaxed and happy..average speeds 63-64 on cruise. Now I’m running 68-70 constantly agitated, cussing, flipping around…
Thanks for enlightening..I thought I’m getting old..
Bobbi H. says
The IRS says you must be treated as an employee and not an independent contractor if you are CONTROLLED BY THE LESSOR..Owner Operators are totally controlled by the ELD!!. Yet companies cheat the system by not paying social security and workmans comp because of bogus unapproved IRS contracts. Come on feds!! you mandated this ELD crap and it should not be mandated for self employed owner operators who aren’t supposed to be controlled..I dont need a machine to controll when I eat..rest..start and end my shift…Your studies need to look into this law breaker..IRS verses ELDs
Don Porche' says
So true
Thaddaus Clark says
Hell no and That’s what i say all the time some experts say or tell me what’s good or best for me.Nobody ever asks the guys whose boots are on the ground
Homebody says
Driver’s, its not about your safety or welfare. It’s about bringing in a new way of transportation without you, A DRIVER.
Step 1. Create a problem
Step 2. Try to fix problem
Step 3. Trucks with little to no drivers in trucks controlled remotely.
Parking-fixed
All the problems mentioned in previous comments fixed.
So someone thinks!
Just my thoughts..
John silveira says
We need educated truckers at FMCSA and DOT, those people who pretend to understand and have any knowledge about trucks and truck drivers life are clue less,causing a truly mess on every ones life. From the farmers and production lines to consumer, from shippers to state troopers. No one up there knows anything about trucking, they are using.those offices to climb to e better ones. All about politics, and who is lobbing for a greater pay check, wile professional lifes and families are at very high risk, with uncertain rules and regulations,being fined way above we could ever deserve and afford. BEING A TRUCKER IS BECOMING HIGH RISK WITH DEGRADED PAY. WE NEED TO STOP FMCSA AND DOT, CLOSE DOWN ATA AND SIMULAR SO CALLED TRUCKING ASSOSSIATIONS, THEY ARE LOBBYISTS FOR THE BIG COMPANIES AND BIG BOXES STORES. And we are starving,and dying out here.
Stan Imboden says
The issue isn’t a black box that does NOTHING but record what you did for the day, no different than paper, NOW, if you want to talk about the REAL culprit, then let’s have a discussion about HOS, it is the Hours Of Service that drivers are pushing to beat, can’t see why people can’t understand this!!!!!
Keep the 14/24, get rid of the 30 minute break, require a SOLID 7 hrs in the bunk before your next day starts, the other 3 hours are yours to use off duty any way you want, take a nap, wait out traffic, lunch, shower, whatever.
Over 30 year veteran in this industry with a small 8 truck fleet, I am over 60 years old, so I may not have seen it all, but I have seen alot.
TexasJester says
The problem isn’t so much the HOS, but the complete inflexibility of that black box. Example, last night I had to stop 40 miles short of where I needed to stop, because I lacked 3 minutes getting to the planned stop. Now, today, I’m going to have to push on sloppy and icy roads to make my delivery today. I have had numerous occasions where I have run against the 8 hours 4-5 miles from a planned stop, and had to sit 30 minutes on a ramp, harassed by cops, because that infernal box said I had to stop.
Old days, we would have done what we needed to do, and fix the logs as needed.
34 year driver, myself – 4.2 million safe miles, no citations, no log book tickets, not even a parking ticket..! Drive for a small fleet, about 75 trucks (not as small as yours, but small enough..).
TexasJester says
The problem isn’t so much the HOS, but the complete inflexibility of that black box. Example, last night I had to stop 40 miles short of where I needed to stop, because I lacked 3 minutes getting to the planned stop. Now, today, I’m going to have to push on sloppy and icy roads to make my delivery today. I have had numerous occasions where I have run against the 8 hours 4-5 miles from a planned stop, and had to sit 30 minutes on a ramp, because that infernal box said I had to stop.
Old days, we would have done what we needed to do, and fix the logs as needed.
34 year driver, myself – 4.2 million safe miles, no citations, no log book tickets, not even a parking ticket..! Drive for a small fleet, about 75 trucks (not as small as yours, but small enough..).
Stan Imboden says
TJ, I disagree, the black box only ALERTS you of what the HOS rules are, CHANGE the HOS and the black box becomes insignificant, I just can’t understand this way of thinking, one of us has this completely ass backwards, and lord knows I’m not perfect, but the recording device has NOTHING to do with how INFLEXIBLE the HOS are!!!!!
Wade says
Hey tj you are so right. I have been driving for 43 years with no accidents I use eld and still make money but with one difference I don’t drive a slow truck most people say that you have to drive slow to get fuel mileage well that’s a bunch of horse dung my truck runs 70 and I avg between 7.5-9.4 miles per gallon it all depends on my weight most of these people who say they can’t get somewhere on time are driving for a mega carrier that makes them run 62-65 cause they want fuel mileage well if they had any brains they would learn how to set up a truck at the speed limit and these people would be able to get some where . I still make money and get my load deliver on time and surprise I drive a company truck and yes it runs 70
Gary F. Brown says
Agreed Mr. Wade,
Long story short. I was Co. driver for 22 yrs, loved the co. I bought my own, got off my lazy but. Learned the hard way with my own education. Challenged the market, the brokers, Fmcsa rules. 4 yrs later got my own customers, reliable handfull of brokers to play with. Doubled to tripled my own income. Own my own assets. Keeping people happy with quality service. Logging what you have done hasnt changed, how its logged has. I can run with ELD’s, i choose not to. I can speed, i choose not to, i can nascar it in and out of traffic, i choose not to. I CHOSE TO GET OFF MY BUT AND STOP LETTING OTHERS CHOOSE FOR ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE. Thank you to all you old schoolers, for the grit ive learned. Crank the wrenches, get loaded ride to your free in the heart. Point being!!!! Take back your independency and live like you want. Stop letting life push you around, push back ladies and gents!!! Ride hard folk’s. Woops long winded!!!!
Leonard Ives says
Also over 60, driving since 1982. No matter what any one or few people think is best, they will always be creating a problem for someone else.
Barry Evans says
I agree with you wholeheartedly!
Douglas Kirk says
HOS is indeed the problem, but the biggest part of the problem is the 14. Get rid of it and a lot of problems will go away. Who the hell cares when I start or why?
Dave Rogers says
They need to change it back to the 8,10,15 rule…..no 30 minute break. I like the 34 myself….just my .02
Douglas Kirk says
Reset is fine…..
The micromanagement mentality in our society is ridiculous. We want to hire people who can think outside the box and be creative….so we can manage them to death
Gary F. Brown says
Mr. Stan,
Nailed it. Original HOS rules back into play, reciepts, time stamped BOL’s tell all. I run paper logs still, but not opposed to ELD. You have to much info on all paperwork to play hide and seek on any HOS document. Digital or paper
James rollins says
I have been driving for 30 years E l d s have nothing to do with safety he regulates how much money you can make and how much you cant. The companys got greedy. We we were on log books it was safer least you could lay down and take a nap and get the proper rest. This law today is so out right they are taken g our right away from us it’s time to put them in thier place and show the co.panys and the American people who runs this country. The American trucker runs this country god bless the old school truckers and be safe
shelley Macleod says
If they should have listens to the drivers.. I seen that coming before they made the mandate. Drivers have one thing on there mind with the E-log. Mash that pettel down and beat the clock.
shelley Macleod says
If the should have listens to the drivers.. I seen that coming before they made the mandate. Drivers have one thing on there mind with the E-log. Mash that pettel down and beat the clock.
Douglas Kirk says
Maybe you are referring to a pedal?
Literacy level here is mind-boggling
Don Porche' says
That’s also a big problem along with big companies that don’t properly train there employee before throwing them to the wolves.
Glen says
My experience with ELD’s is that I’m always stressing. I haul ocean going sea containers. When I get to the rail yard I can either get unloaded right away or sit there up to 4 hours. My maximum waiting time is 4 hours. Another driver told me he was there 8 hours one time. It only takes 5 minutes if that for a crane to lift off 2 containers. Meanwhile we can’t sleep while we wait or we risk the crane bypassing us. Sitting 4 hours makes me tired. There has been several times that I have driven tired and could use a nap but I can’t. The clock is ticking. I just keep pushing on. It’s not the dosing off kind of tired. Just a lot of yawning. 16 hours is a long day but on the up side I’m guaranteed my 8 hours off before I start my 16 hour day again.
Don Porche' says
Glen you must be a Canadian driver or
in the oil field because the states only allow up to 14 hours to complete work and driving and if in the oil field you still can’t work over 70 hours in a week correct me if I’m wrong.
LorieJo says
and 5-8 months worth of data is sooooo accurate.
Tony says
Same here I told dispatch if u disconect this thing I will show u how to get there on time other wise suck it up butter cup. If you do have accient they will say he knows the rules. If the receiver wants they should be open 24/7 because that is how we work.
David says
Remember the days when you could leave early for your appointment time, and nap whenever you wanted and simply start your day over again? Yeah me neither, I much prefer being forced to leave right on time and not being able to stop even though I’m tired because the 14-hour clock won’t stop ticking.
Robert Morookian says
If you want to know if a law is flawed……strictly enforce it.
dkbean says
Ah Padwan, you have learned well…
Gary F. Brown says
That was awesomely true. Thanks for the laugh roflmao
MW says
The thing that sickens me the most.
Is not but a few are paying any attention to rates.
The elds are one thing, everyone has a different manner to do the same thing,
yada,yada .
Yeah, I was a cheater on paper, but consider this oh goody two shoes.
Of the 32 years I’ve driven I have never,
Had a speeding ticket
Had an accident
Always made any pre arranged time for delivery.
So tell me oh sphincter lord,
How is cheating bad
Paul Spear says
When you have to take a10 hr break and you are not tired you cant sleep when your not tired so then you start your drive and in 3 or so hrs you get tired but cant stop now so you get drowsy and oh no they wreck it needs to be a split or not get penalized for sittig at shipper or receiver and going against your clock
Sherrie says
Of course, we all knew that ELDS would not be a benefit. Now truckers are running against the clock and being abused and used by dispatch. However, someone in Washington was getting their pocket padded to approve this measure. I would give anything if the truckers banned together and shut down. It would bring America to its knees. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country, but no one seems to listen until something drastic happens. Now, we have a major influx of broker companies and they are all competing, which lowers the line haul and the truckers are taking the hit for it. When it gets to the point that the line-hauls don’t keep up with fuel cost, repair and maintenance and all the other expenses incurred, it implodes on itself. You can’t afford to run the truck! I can’t tell you how many owner operators I have seen who average about $175,000 per year. After all business related deductions, their income is approximately $20,000 to $30,000 for the year, if your lucky. Now take that and apply that to a family of 3 or more, with a mortgage payment, groceries, etc., and there is practically $0 left. All these truckers dedicate their lives to the road to try to make a living, only to be left with losses both family wise and financially.
Jeff says
Sherri I’ve been saying that for yrs. and as far as the rates they suck you can’t operate a truck on a dollar per mile the shippers and brokers are hoarding the money and I won’t run it cheap but yes I totally agree with you I seen somewhere I think it was on the last truckers report it was said you had to be on Facebook which I am not on but they’re trying to get together a strike on these ELD‘s supposed to take affect April 12 and there was already 15,000 truckers signed up but I agree the rates also need to be added to that and you are right we need to shut down but you can’t get to truck drivers to agree that ice cream is cold
fred hess says
I am one of these Owner’s the only one getting rich is fuel companies tire companies and government agencies!
Alex says
You’d have to be a complete moron to be a trucker for 20-30k net. If the trucker can do basic math to figure out he’s getting screwed well sorry. I’m a company driver and I pull about 40k and I’m leaving the industry because of that. Even co drivers should be pulling in a min of 60k a year no exceptions. We live in our offices (cages) The more people who leave the better this will continue to squeeze the already razor thin margins in favor of trucker pay. Stop employing visa workers trucking asshole companies want to keep labor costs down.
Truck driver says
That’s what happened when office rats made rules for something they don’t have a clue about. The things are just getting worse. All drivers are mad and in hurry, they are no able to plan their day
Randy says
I think we are trying to fix the symptoms and not the problems. I hear people say the government should stay out of it, but it was the government exemption for truckers to the fair labor act that has allowed this mess to develop. They need to do away with the by the mile and percentage pay. I will then bid the loads by how many hours it will take to complete the same as other services.
fred hess says
Then how could our Third Reich control us? Why don’t they ever go after the real problem. Shippers and receivers and dispatchers!
Douglas Kirk says
Hourly pay will not solve anything. What is the difference? Let’s see…$19/hr for an 11 hour day is $209. If you run 650 miles at 48 cents it comes to $312.
Sorry, Randy…..YOU LOSE
Jeff says
😂😂😂😂 most of us all tried to tell the pencil pushing know it alls 😂😂😂😂
I think it’s hilarious, just like I’ve said thousands of time and there is decades of proof, anything the government puts there hands on goes to crap 💩 here’s some more proof. I’ve never liked them and don’t now and cheating has NOTHING to do with it. I DONT NEED A BABYSITTER IN MY TRUCK!!!!!!
SFC Larry Triplett says
I wonder what the accidents look like with the Active Duty Military Truck Drivers. I was a truck driver 88M and we did not have to keep log books and did not have to stop at the weight scales at all. I can remember a lot of us had TC which is a Truck Commander/ Co Driver most of the time they could not drive an 18 wheeler. I can remember driveing over 14 hours a day with out a break, we might get a 15 minute breaks every 4 to 5 hours I believe that the Military Truck Drivers should obey all CDL laws. What is your take on this.
John Matthews says
it takes away your freedom to do your job safe
Mike says
The problem is where drivers work, the company i lease to, I wish there was less hours to work with im exhausted all the time but cant seem to ever run out of hours I team too so maybe thats why but still id be good with 40 hours a week.
Corde says
You dont wanna truck then. I run my 70 out all the time. Before that it was more. I truck for money and ti make it home safely to my family.
Scott Moats says
Yes,yes,and yes!
fred hess says
Look at the manufacturer’s date on the ELD this whole idiotic excuse was pre planned and bought with big money! Once again it’s money not our Government running things! DOT has become way to powerful! They need to be mandated and aggravated!
Christopher Nemchausky says
I am a driver and when I get stuck in traffic or delays at the shippers I am forced to speed and constantly pass trucks which is so dangerous and here is another thing its dangerous switching lanes and getting back to the slow lane because that is a huge blind spot on the right side. Been driving for a long time and very few times were trucks ever in the fast lane on a 2 lane road and now truck just stay in that lane to make it to the destination faster and safer but breaking the law. There are some very stupid people who drive and because of them driving so slow I have see truck drivers pass in the fast lane to get to there destination. Being a trucker sucks so bad every day other tractor trailer and cars come into my lane when going down the expressway during high winds. So many people drive to slow most of the time it’s the owner operator looking to save money on fuel so just stays in the slow lane and causes a danger to everyone around because they are going to get passed and that truck trailer has to get back to the right side lane which is a blind spot and this causes accidents. Illinois very stupid laws that truck drivers have to break to get to their destination. I drive to Wisconsin a lot and as you guys know truck traffic can be in the left hand lane all the time and there are barely any traffic delays because all the lanes on the inside have merging traffic. Every state needs to let the truck in the left lane fast lane because of all that merging traffic and because the inside lane is know for slow lane and traffic comes to a halt when traffic murges.
I have a 2018 Freightliner day cab and it has GPS cruise control on it and just to make a long stay short I had cruise on and was fully loaded going about 65 mph and a cardboard box blew in front of my bumper and my fully loaded tractor trailer came to a halt on the highway because of that cardboard box the sensor though it was a person and the computer apply the brakes and I almost died that day. Lol so so stupid and this has happened to other driver’s as well. I almost loss my life all because my cruise was on dumb ass system. The only reason I’m not dead is because no body was around me to rear end me. Do not use the cruise on the new trucks because this will happen to you too.
Alex says
Meh ELDs suck but can be cheated. You can go back and edit them to find extra time you ‘mislogged’ for your 70 hour rule. Most cos allow up to 10mph driving on duty while at a shipper for instance this allows delivery when out of hours if on customers property. Find a company that allows personal conveyance.
If they got rid of the 30 minute milk and cookie break which eld enforces that would be much better
Christian says
I’ve been debating whether or not I should write a letter to do person who was chosen by Trump to be in charge of the FMSCA. He has mentioned he’s open for opinions. If I get enough moral support I will do it.
I’ve been thinking this out quite extensively and would propose to keep ELDs, but only to log your actions such as fuel, pickups, deliveries..etc. BUT I would completely eleminate HOS. I know there are some previous commentators that are upset with HOS and try rearranging it with more driving hours, less break time.. etc. But I would argue against any time clock running against you. If you think about it, ANY clock against the driver would bring about the same problems we’re currently having. I would propose a standard EXPECTED driving time of 11 hours daily, and sleep time of 10 hours for dispatch and brokers to measure ETAs but NOT TO ENFORCE them as some mandatory limits. In other words, if the driver wishes to continue driving passed 11 hours, then he should be free to continue driving. And if the driver wishes to sleep less than 10 hours, then he should be free to do so as well. Drivers won’t push themselves unnecessarily when they don’t have to. Make it mandatory and you see drivers do crazy stuff. Some have more stamina than others. Not everyone is the same. ELDs treat everyone like robots, as if though we are all the same.
If they really want it to make it safe, or find a culprit after an accident, government should require every commercial vehicle mount external cameras in various angles. In this case, law enforcement can tell who is truly at fault after a collision instead of going straight after the trucker.
Ones last thing: California should raise their f…king speed limits!
Scott Moats says
Don’t think it’s law enforcement as much as these money grabbing,dont give a hoot about what their decisions in life are doing to the other party attorneys/lawyers! Always following the most money to be had,not who actually caused the accident,just my two cents!
Chuck Gadbaw says
They’re not going to get rid of ELDs because its all about the money. It has absolutely nothing to do with safety. That’s the way a lot of the laws are all about money.
Marc says
The only cheating i ever did on paper was 5-10 minutes at beginning or end to allow for minor delays getting through traffic, picking up or dropping off, etc. . I never used it to try to get 2-3 hrs extra driving in, and i never felt bad about fudging 5 min here or there, to avoid a violation. With ELD, I do sometimes have to rush to make dest in time to get unloaded and parked before clock runs out, and it is definitely more unsafe to have to try to speed to make up 20 or 30 minutes throughout the day in order to stay in compliance.
Alex says
My company has the drive line set to kick in at 20mph. Feel bad for that drive who gets on drive time just by releasing brakes. That would suck donkey balls
Efrain Baldivia says
This is so true , ever since the ELD came into effect I have noticed the aggressive driving increased on the roads. This is clearly unsafe. You would have to be out here on the road to see what I mean. You can’t see the bad effects of the ELD from behind the desk
Thomas says
Elogs are the biggest bunch of Crap that ever happened in trucking! It’s not about safety, that’s been proven! It’s about lining someone’s pocket with cash. I’ve been driving for a long ass time, never a frigging problem. I see so many more accidents, speeders and fatalities. All Because Of ELDS!!!!!!! Wake up people, these are no damm good and solve nothing!They must go only because it will get worse .Be safe.
D. LAFFAN says
Is it the forced compliance that’s causing more accidents, or is it the forced compliance of the asinine HOS rules that are causing them. Go back to 10 hours of driving, 8 hour breaks, and no mandatory half hour rest break.
David Hostetler says
Its not so much the elds but the log rules themselves are dangerous. The elds are just holding drivers to that unsafe standard. I was never so tired, so fatigued, so dangerous as the time I was held to the exact letter of the law. Even turning on the engine activated it. Therefore, the logs must go. If anybody thinks they are so safe, they are welcome to put it in their own car. I asked a guy not long ago if he thought he’d be safer using a log. No….of course not. But his brain hasn’t been fried by this industry into thinking logs are so safe when they aren’t. There has GOT to be a better way to keep drivers from driving outrageous hours, enhance safety, enhance productivity all at the same time. More places to park would be a good start. Logs started out as a way of keeping track of hours for pay purposes. How it got twisted around into a safety device, it beats me.
Steelwheels18 says
Well not surprised one bit. Back in 2009 when I was company driver for Marten and forced from paper to ELD I raised hell that not only was I loosing 15% of revenue but felt I was unsafe behind the wheel playing “Beat the Clock “ every day. Always in a hurry pushing my governed truck to the max for 11-14 hrs straight. Nowadays I’m 60yo o/o ELD compliant but only run 67mph as I pay for fuel. Take time to walk my dog every few hundred miles and quit worrying about that damned clock. And I refuse to to start my day at 0400 so I can end by 1700 just to find parking cuz I don’t care. I’ll just go to Personal Conveyance and go up the road. ELD has everyone in a hurry and majority of drivers are inexperienced which is recipe for disaster!!!
Jason says
Paper or electronic, you still only have 11/14….
Todd Martin says
Duh…if the idiots from the fmcsa would ask questions.before assuming electronics were the key…lol. Idiots wouldn’t have mud on their faces….morons did it to sell electronic gadgets
Jason says
ELDs didn’t change how much time anyone had to drive. It just made it so you can’t lie about it anymore. Maybe don’t drink so much coffee, then you wouldn’t have to stop to piss 18 times a day, and you might actually make some progress down the road. I’ve made it legally and on e-logs from Albuquerque to Long Beach in one shift, so don’t tell me ELDs prevent anyone from getting miles.
C Tilley says
Not everyone runs out west.
C Tilley says
And yes I’ve ran longer and slower. To save fuel and to not be so stressed out behind the wheel. While illegal it was safer. Speeding is illegal too. Which has become the alternative.
dkbean says
in case you haven’t tried it. getting out and walking across the parking lot,or around the rest area, is not only good for your body but your mind.whether or not you get a cup of joe is kinda irrelevant. but do it with eld and you lose an hour or more a day. 800 miles in a day/14hrs? you think that is safe? I’d like to video that last 70 miles to the port.
Douglas Kirk says
That’s a drive around the block if you don’t hit a big traffic mess. I run legally heavy- 97,000 gross- every load, and I guarantee it takes me longer to do what I used to show with ease, especially in the mountains. I never logged hills before, now the stupid computer does, so anywhere out here in the West takes away more time than you can imagine
forktruk says
My old MS Streets and trips make that 801.9 miles.
Run it in 11 hours at a steady, constant, speed of 72.9 MPH.
Fast tractor and large kidneys…. Just saying.
Buck says
All you drivers are an accident waiting to happen .two log books now you don’t have the log books so now I’m going to whine and cry about everything else. Weird how I could always make it to the customer with paper logs but now I can’t with electronic. makes one Wonder why we have Elds.
Douglas Kirk says
I never once ran 2 log books, Mr Expert on Nothing.
I’ve had a commercial license since 1977 and have driven over 6 million miles since….never wrecked a truck or tore one up, plus made a lot of employers and customers happy.
Think before you start repeating the moronic musings of others who lack any semblance of intelligence
Scott Moats says
Thank you!
Don Porche' says
So true
Jeff says
Yes Thank you I’m with you I never ran 2 log books either
C Tilley says
So in order to fix the speed. We are gonna end up with a speed mandate. But I’m tired of almost getting ran over in the truck stop due to elogs.
Patrick Solis says
I got my ticket because of rushing to beat the clock and find a parking area in Chicago. It’s just another way for the Gov to squeeze you out of your money.
Let’s see if the findings will change anything
hugo miller says
I’m confused. First they say “Pre-ELD, truck accidents averaged 1,717 per week. That increased to 1,912 per week during the soft enforcement period, and fell again to 1,703 during full enforcement.”
Then they say “As a result, the report finds that “the effect of the [ELD mandate] is that accidents actually increased by between 2,290 and 3,266 per year.””.
So have accidents gone up or down?
dkbean says
i think they are pairing it w/ freight volume
Bobby says
Why don’t we all make a stand and do something about it then? I want this eld crap gone. Don’t you?
dkbean says
ABSOLUTELY, but the larger carriers love it, and they are the ones who get called in to the DOT gab sessions. A little flexibility is all i want and the 14 hour has to go, along w/ another split bunk class even if it is a 7-3 would probably be good enough, except when the temperature is so severe it helps your core temp to run the truck Climate control for an hour or two. So maybe a 2-3 day exemption if temp goes under 10 and over 90. that’s a tough one to write though. i personally would be OK with subtracting hours from the next week if allowed this exemption. again , tough to write.
Scott says
Finally, we have the documented proof to back up what we drivers have known all along. Hopefully that’s what the DOT needs to see in order to lighten up the HOS. We always knew that driving under time restraints makes a situation more dangerous and thousands of us were screaming it at the top of our lungs pre-Eld but you know how government works. They won’t lift a finger to change anything until it’s been proven to need changing 16 times over and run through atleast 46 focus groups.
Don Porche' says
Like anything else the government does blood has to be shed to change things and sometimes that doesn’t work.
Percheron1 says
Hmmm….more drivers being shoved thru company driving schools and thrown on the road with minimal hours…surprise…more accidents
duh says
Sounds like you didn’t read the article?
What did you say in your comment that has anything to do with HOS?
Not saying you’re wrong at all, just saying you are talking about oranges in the apple section. You have the right to do so I guess, but why?
Percheron1 says
More Rookie Drivers put on the road and instituting ELD at the same time…but the conclusion it is ELD causing the increase in accidents???
Phil says
I am NOT surprised at all… i knew this was gonna happened!! All these people who sit at the desk and make these rules for truckers to follow have no clue on what it is like to be a trucker!! Most have never been behind the wheel. All they know how to do is make laws and screw us real truckers over!! Geez thanks!! 🙄😒
duh says
We were supposed to have relaxed and improved changes to the HOS here in March… but with the shutdown, who knows how far back this “low priority” topic got pushed back…
Just another example, even if incidental, of the guy we helped elect not helping truckers at all.
Scott Moats says
Yes,I stood behind him also,seems like he deregulated others, he forgot about the large number of drivers across this country who vote.
Younus Ali Chowhan says
DOT do experiment in summer time and they pick up there favorite high way. DOT never provide any driver help line, if the do DOT unable to handle help line. Always driver get abuse and take all the blame. Accuse taker is always available ( poor driver ). Company and broker and of course DOT officers. They throw someone angry on driver. The best is Next time DOT should shot driver they can get rid of all the on going and up coming problems. All this ELD DOT problems still they are accusing drivers. EASY TARGET. Millions of options to make life easy. If you tighten flaws of river water will split some where.
Tucker says
At what point are drivers going to held accountable for their actions? Everybody can cry and point at ELDS but at the end of the day, the driver caused the accident.
Gabo San says
Not only the drivers should get hit for their breaking the law, dispatchers, companies, and truck owners that hire drivers should be accountable for pushing a driver to break the law or a driver wages will be effected. All drivers across the USA should take control of their license and treat the driver license as a business to negotiate and tell all these owners of the trucks that I get there when I get there with no retaliation otherwise drivers have the power to report these speed-go faster-pushers so they can pay a fine. Drivers are in control, drivers just are too afraid of losing wages. It’s easy to blame drivers for all thiese accidents but what provoked it.
Trucker 926 says
Well… I guess they got what they wanted
Chris says
Huh they studied what everyone already knew years ago,wow good job spending millions to put the law into effect and costing trucking companies (aka rolling piggy banks) even more money because people would rather complain n cry to everyone else,instead of telling their dispatch they aren’t running over legal hours,nobody can make you break the rules that’s a personal choice
Lynn A Dreier says
Becareful what you wish for.LOL
Ed says
When I tired I “forsed” by LED to drive, because I don’t want to lose shifthours.
When I well rested and up-have no hours, the I waiting all day for new shift starts and sleepy have to drive all night. BS
Steelwheels18 says
Trust me long bch wevryall played super trucker on ELDs yeah my best only about 780 non stop Chicago thru Ky. That does not mean it was safe. And for those of you that keep bringing up cheating and lying it only shows how green you really are. What you don’t see on those old log books is the full meal and 4hr nap we took prior to rush hr traffic s we could finish our day in a safe manner
Kimberly Woods says
Right on the mark there, especially in California, and other bigger cities
the traffic is just down ridiculous a driver is expected to head in a sea of cars that aren’t moving 🙁 and yet we are the bad guys on the road.
My comment was more often than not if you’ve never been in one or driven , shut up and stay out of the way, we as drivers don’t want delays any more than anyone else but we are always to blame it seems.
Gabo San says
I believe it should be a give and take atmosphere in general. What I mean is since fluctuations only boost product’s prices higher for instance: food, water, medical supplies, fuel, tires, real estate, etc., but the wages of a trucker got only a dollar if we’re lucky enough, unless y’all are speeder on the road than yes y’all got the dollar raise in compare those that follow the rules of the road just got the shaft or miles/hours cut for not jeopardizing your license. Wow, anyhow what I’m trying to say is prices raised on consumer products about 35 up to 50 percent, not the truck driver’s wages, a dollar across the board is B.S. and now truckers are controlled by the government with the ELD, but none on the dispatchers, owners, and company’s that hire the drivers to move products. This should go hand-to-hand as far as drivers getting hit on the elogs. The company, dispatchers, and the owners that hire drivers should feel the shaft too if drivers are being pushed and either ELD violates a driver or a cop pull you over. As far as for my career as a driver, I lost about 4 truck driving jobs due to me saying hell no I’m not jeopardizing my license for any company, so hours are cut and soon all of the sudden there’s no work for me because I want to stay under the radar from preventable accidents and preventable incidents which it’s all B.S. D.O.T. should get busted for allowing to get paid off for allowing these unsafe trucks on the road, BIT program and DOT inspection is all a group of scam and to be honest a shake-down. I could go on and on, I got 20 years on my belt and just only received one ticket in my career, a burnt out headlight which hit me in my PSP as a preventable incident, B.S. thank you for your time everyone and truck-on.
Oledoc2u says
You can’t blanket enforce HOS. I have owned trucks managed drivers and driven for 46 long yrs. Not everyone does the same work. Whether hauling livestock or moving oversized loads to just plain old dock bumping all calls for different requirements on hours needed to get the job done. Delivery drivers with multiple stops will run against the the clock because of too many variables on their route. HOS should never have been a mandate. Every driver has a record and a points system. If he’s bad then his record will be his or her demise. Everyone shouldn’t pay because of bad drivers. Companies should be held accountable for who they put on the road. And for those who they force dispatch. Hell punch in swift and see what you see. Not saying they are all bad but they are bad. Leave us alone unless we have a bad record and in that case put us out of service. It will soon separate the good from the bad. Attrition is a good thing.
Douglas Kirk says
Attrition should have taken out Swift years ago…..
Wonder how much Jerry Moyes had to pay to stay in business with his atrocious safety record? Guarantee if I had 73 incidents a day I’d be out of business in less time than it took to post this
Kenneth Labrum says
Just another way for the federal government to screw the transportation industry and get more power into their criminal hands.
Yet they cry for more truck drivers, how many ways can you spell stupid
Douglas Kirk says
Attrition should have taken out Swift years ago…..
Wonder how much Jerry Moyes had to pay to stay in business with his atrocious safety record? Guarantee if I had 73 incidents a day I’d be out of business in less time than it took to post this
Mohamed says
Keep driving truckers.yours families keep in his prayers when you die in an accident.anyways you are always away from you families you live only on his mind….
Stephen Meyer says
I want to something to all you ignorant truck drivers in this country,I’ve been driving for 45 years and heard a lot of bitching and complaining about everything that pertains to this buisness,if you so called truck drivers were to stick together and forget your different way of thinking and wants and desires things wouldn’t be where they are at right now but then the type of people in this society that has come about in the past 35 years are not the kind of people that are anywheres near the professionals either in their way of thinking or doing things,it’s boiled down to ( I Don’t Give A Crap way of thinking)You have basically brought this situation on simply because of it,instead of standing up to the Insurance Companies,the government,and Congress and the Courts of this country,and telling them Who owns and elects them into office and who tells them what is what,you would rather cry,bitch and moan about everything except get off your pedestal or throne and do something about these liers who are fabricating the lies and not producing the exact evidence as to whether those ELDs are anything what they say they are,Just remember this electronics is what has destroyed this country because people do not want to think for themselves,instead they want a computer or a robot to do it for them( Simply Put called Laziness)
Trokerito says
Well said!!!
Mark Jett says
The accidents increased because drivers were in a hurry to park before time ran out and getting in a hurry leads to less caution.
MIKE says
MY COMPANY BUMPED TRUCKS FROM 70 TO 85MPH SO WE CAN COMPLETE OUR TRIPS B4 ELD WE LIED BY 10-15 MINS…. AFTER ELD ITS GO FAST AS TRUCK CAN PULL LOAD
Jeff Pearson says
ELD s think you are a machine like they are..making you drive or work when your HUMAN body says NO..It tells you when you work..and when you sleep…NOT GOING TO WORK..all this does is add to extra stress …more than you had before ELDs ..next they can run statistics on the ammount of drivers who vaporlock and die from the excess stress level..or the ammount of drivers who have high blood pressure..high colesteral..gained weight from not eating right because they cant just sit down take some time off eat and have a few minutes out of the day to rest…or take a quick nap..
Go away says
ELD is vital in an industry where truckers routinely admit to each other they are cooking the books with 2-3 separate logs.
Don’t like the pay and rest you get while being forced to comply with laws we’ve had for years? Strike for better pay and rest periods.
‘would you like fries with that’
MIKE says
I NEVER RAN MORE THEN 1 LOG BOOK IN 14 YRS OF TRUCKING ELD MADE IT UNSAFE OUT HERE!!!!
Alex Knolls says
The one important thing that this study didn’t look at is who was at fault in the accidents, truck or a car.
As we all know, most truck involved accidents are caused by a car, and to not even look at the crash data to see percentages of at-fault is intentionally skewing the results of study.
Without that data, you don’t know if there are more trucks crashing because of fatigue or speed, or if it just happens that more cars are crashing into trucks and this is totally unrelated to the ELDs.
Also, the drivers speeding, is because before they used paper logs to break HOS rules, and now they are speeding to try to make up for not being able to break HOS.
Either way, the issue is that they are breaking the law trying to get more miles, and thus the increase in risky behavior is because of bad drivers, not the ELDs.
Sir POKY says
Un-attentive and wreckless drivers OF CARS are over 70% of all accidents involving trucks. A ELD did not help that fact, if anything It busied up the truck driver more so he looses some of his defensive driving reaction speed.
M townsley says
Since ELD’s- one thing I don’t see happening is that the researchers have not mentioned if they have checked the big companies that load many trucks per day and ask them if their harassment incidents and unsafe practices incidents have decreased or increased. We have been told by the safety departments where we load that this past year these incidents have risen by over 200 %. . ‘This is alarming. Drivers are on edge from the moment they start their day worrying about what may happen before their day is over and will cut corners wherever they can to prepare for this. This is causing so much stress that they are not driving properly, not checking their trucks properly, making mistakes in not reading their paperwork properly, not eating properly, not treating their fellow truck drivers properly , etc. ,etc. Many, many hours are spent by the carriers listening daily to all their complaints and stories of what happened to them and because of being out of hours by a few minutes it screwed up their whole week . Many times causing them to miss one whole trip which in turn reflects on their wages. Many who have for years enjoyed their work and have provided a good wage to support their family and were able to spend more time with their family are now just giving up and as a result we have this big driver shortage. In return carriers are now having to put drivers with very little experience behind the wheel of these big rigs. Another reason for the increase in accidents and deaths on the highway. .
Traveler says
Somebody please answer this question. Why are the big motor homes towing a vehicle behind them not under DOT regulations. I think they should have ELD’s in their vehicles. And what about the 4 wheelers that drive 24 hours straight?
MIKE says
I AGREE
Sean says
The answer is simple. Go back to relaying loads just like the railroads still do. You will find much happier drivers if they can go home more often.
Scott Moats says
Like one gentleman said,when you are a 1 truck operation,its hard to relay!
Kevin Chevalier says
Your letting time rule your decisions, it’s still up to you how to manage it,
if your dispatch ask you if you have enough time to cover a load accept or
decline it that’s your choice not theirs, if your using ELD’s your safety dept is
linked to your hours of service they know where your at, your dispatch has
a good idea when you pick up how many miles to cover and the time or
ETA don’t let them bullshit you into something your not sure you can cover,
watchout for the hot loads and the JIT’s appointments are your worst enemy to hell with time whatever it takes is what it is, you run that truck not your
dispatch or that logging device use your head that load can be rescheduled
it ain’t worth your health or your life, if they don’t like it get the hell away from
them as soon as you can, safety is your priority not some appointment don’t
matter if you obligated yourself to it it’s not worth your life or anyone else you
may drag down with you, nothing like killing somebody over a load because
your in a hurry.
Rhonda Preston says
Hahahaha! Idiots ……duh??
Sara says
Like an A on essay. My cat doesn’t sleep so much. She is always working even with her eyes closed. Sleeping too long isn’t healthy. I feel like I’m driving for a daycare with very strict rules. Have they figured out what sleep wear we need next? I’m tired of trying to be tired
MIKE says
CAN I BE UR SLEEPWARE ;;)
Sara says
Yes those ELD thingies works like my cell phone keeps acting up. There’s hardly any food in the stores now. Due to truck delays.
Gonzalo says
I got off the road after 6 months of ELD I quit OTR. The main reason was medical, since after the eld implementation I could not stop every 3-4 hours and pee without losing precious minutes that I would need the following day to make the delivery on time. I then got to stop 1 time at 5-6 hours to be able to pee and could not split my 30 minutes in 2 or 3 breaks. As over the years I as many other truck drivers depveloped an enlarged prostate for holding it too long and being seated all day, in order to avoid severe bleeder pain and a the condition growing I has to pee every 2-3 hours. So in October I cut my pay check and went local. Best decision I ever made I’m home every day and my condition is getting better, my urologist saw me last December and told me to keep it and and said to see him in a year before I was being monitored every 3 months. So all in all the eld is NOT a one seize fits all, and have no concern about safety health or anything, it’s just another way to control how you use your time that’s it.
Sir POKY says
I haul cattle, or at least I did. The chicken coups got so aggressive to us with nitpicking the hell out of even the color of the toilet paper so I stopped trucking after 23 years and still left with a perfect driving record, million plus accident and citation free. Wasn’t going to stay that way, so I quit it completely. Now, ink wet CDL green card holders with no speeky-engwish drives the trucks, and can’t read the signs or understand the rules, but DOT is scared of being called racist, so them guys just break every law with immunity.
Roland says
I run ELD… I still stop every couple hours to pee. Why would you NOT stop? Paper logs or ELD logs.. stopping is stopping. Pull over, go off duty, take a leak, and drive away. As long as your are off duty your driving time clock stops so it shouldn’t effect time the next day. It’s all about time management not wasting log time by “forgetting” to go off duty every time the truck comes to a stop. If you stop and pee but leave yourself on the Drive line.. then yes, time is wasted.
Sir POKY says
Simple fact, ELD removes common sense from truckers. No one can even stay employed if they make a judgment call on WHEN to drive, now its all about just how fast can this truck blast through traffic to beat the ELD clock. And no matter how stupid you call a trucker, They are not, and very few put the key in the ignition saying today I plan to die.
Sir POKY says
I haul cattle, or at least I did. The chicken coups got so aggressive to us with nitpicking the hell out of even the color of the toilet paper so I stopped trucking after 23 years and still left with a perfect driving record, million plus accident and citation free miles. My perfect record with the ELD garbage wasn’t going to stay that way, so I quit it completely. Now, ink wet CDL green card holders with no speeky-engwish drives the trucks, and can’t read the signs or understand the rules, but DOT is scared of being called racist, so them guys just break every law with immunity.
MIKE says
HERE… HERE… U ARE CORRECT AND THEY DONT EVEN KNOW THE BRIGHT LIGHT LAWS
David Heberling says
ANOTHER NAME FOR E L D IS R A G T C RACE A GUEST THE CLOCK
TRACY NEAL THOMPSON says
The issue is not the ELD, but the fact that company’s pay their drivers trash wages, which only attracts the worst. If companies paid better, drivers wouldn’t have to push the envelope.
The headline is also misleading as from what I see, it didn’t make things worse, but it didn’t improve then either.
MIKE says
I MAKE 40.00 A HR AS A COMPANY DRIVER
Nic says
35 here and home every night.
James Guinn, jr says
32 yrs I have seen a lot , this is B.S why don’t you college people who are doing this come out here and find out what it is like , or do you want to stay behind your desk.
Milton says
Dang I miss the good ole days, when driver’s got along, could almost agree on some things, and when we could split sleeper time. Once again, the government screws it up.
shaun j burke says
ELD is not the problem
HOS is the problem
Doug Smith says
I drive for a good company…
I refuse a load once in a while, because I’m tired, but mostly due to adverse weather ! It is NOT forced dispatch, but for the most part I take most loads.
I run 2600 – 3000 miles a week.
Average 2800, after accounting for my 4-5 days off at the end of each Month.
I “short stop” most evenings or nights, and haven’t been over on my HOS in a year.
A lot of what I see out here are guys running like idiots right on the ass of another Trucker, or far worse a 4 wheeler with a Family in it… to tell you the truth, it makes me very ANGRY !!
The ELD and HOS are not that difficult to deal with in my opinion… just plan accordingly. To all of you that run right on people’s asses, and throw your trash out the window like the world 🌎 is your personal trash can… all I can say is you are what is wrong with Trucking !
Have some respect for life and for others… 🛑 STOP littering, and more importantly, STOP putting people’s lives in jeopardy by driving so aggressively… you are going to kill someone !
And I haven’t even mentioned distracted driving due to cell phones and other distractions !
To all you drivers that respect others, you Truckers are truly special… thank you !
Jim Smith says
Thank you sir.
William J Hudson says
What a slam dunk, spike of the football, I told you so slap in the face to all that supported this notion that the ELD was somehow a good idea.
It really doesn’t take a genius. Unfortunately we have to live with it. To undo the ruling at this point would be an admission of this colossal F’up and shed light on the fact that many who helped pass it into law while completely ignoring the voice of professional truckers who dedicate their lives to the safety of others. That they are not qualified to make a decision about what’s for supper, let alone what’s best for the transportation industry.
Anyway, We told you so! Hahaha
AGS says
Interesting comments; I’ve planned trips before, I have been in the driver’s seat of a rig as well. My thoughts: if one plans their trip at an average speed BELOW regulated speed? There should not be a problem, unless somebody else wants that driver off the road.
It’s not about beating the system, not about driver control, etc. It’s about safely keeping a driver earning a living. Frankly, I would not want to be OTR, etc with a family to feed; by that time I would be looking at a local route like public bus transportation, or school bus driver, or package trucks, etc.
Clyde says
Just like always, when the government gets involved, the government screws it up. Why you say? Good question. I’ll give you the answer that will fit in every situation of government being involved in business……… because the government is not a business. The government don’t produce anything. The government IS non productive. The government doesn’t have to be productive to make a profit because it TAKES money from businesses. So when the government MAKES rules and regulations for a business it slows the production of that business considerably.
Krossbonzz says
Regardless of an ELD, the newer HOS Regulations are more in line with lazy drivers that run like it’s a day job at a McDonalds. Those of us that have better work habits and/or have the ability to work long hours are negatively affected (financially) most by these Bull Sh!t DOT HOS rules. If you really need 10 hours off then go back to work at Pizza Hut or whatever lazy job you had before. Heck try Farming and see how many hours you work in a week especially during harvest time. Too many unskilled lazy workers in almost all industries today. How many of those accidents are caused by the driver’s that can’t comprehend English properly per DOT?
Kimberly Woods says
we called them steering wheel holders in my day.
Krossbonzz says
🙂
Younus Ali Chowhan says
I remember UPS used to have 55 mph truck for safety. Now you can see UPS driving up to 74 mph trucks. Question. increasing speed make UPS more safer or it was a answer to ELD.
Roland says
UPS and Fed-Ex are some of the most dangerous drivers out here. They think their schedule is the only schedule that matters and everyone else out here is just in their way. They try to drive like they are in a race car. they speed, constant lane changes, ignore truck lane rules, and even take HOV lanes if no cops are around.. totally ignorant of common sense and safety. Some days I would rather have a Swift truck on each side of me instead of being anywhere near a UPS or Fed-Ex.
Krossbonzz says
I’m the guy that disconnects their pup air lines when they sit in the fuel island doing their damn 30 minute break! Sometimes there’s 3 lanes side by side of these jerk offs.
Kimberly Woods says
I am a Retired Driver of over 28 years, that being said, in my opinion there are definitely some short falls in the ELD system, I am old school so it doesn’t make sense to me that the government should have as much power over the industry as they do today , they really don’t have clue as to what it takes to maintain the job performance , a driver has many obstacles they must deal with on daily basis , from traffic , idiots on the road ,road construction, etc… not to mention having dispatchers and brokers hounding them to make the impossible happen, a seasoned driver ( more than 5 years on road) knows how to get the job done with all of these obstacles.
Now they are talking about letting 18 Year old’s having CDL’s , that just stupid they are way to young and haven’t even begun to gain the amount of responsibility it requires to safely operate a commercial (18 Wheeler) not to mention that the amount of training being given these days to most new drivers is nowhere near the amount they should have, I am speaking about these 3 week schools and then having the student to go out with a trainer that may have a month or two more experience at most usually, this is not a safe measure to say the least, I started driving in the mid eighties and I was a rookie driver for at least my first 2 full years with all the season’s , and even then I still had a lot of learning to do, so in my personal opinion the government does not have a clue as to what it takes to be a truck driver , hell most of them probable couldn’t describe the interior of a big truck let alone know what it takes to operate one safely. I personally do not think that the ELD shouldn’t be so controlling and should be used strictly as a monitoring system the same way that paper logs were, they worked great for a long time. This is my soul opinion…
Digitalage says
Government philosophy:
If it isn’t broke, fix it until it is!
BJ says
I knew this was gonna happen …now instead of running two log books now everyone is racing the clock and doing stupid stuff. You cant regulate stupidity either a driver is going to be safe or they’re not
walter l mcclain says
I have forty two years out on the road , i will retire this . their have been many changes in my time out here , thing’s are much better now , than when i started . their is money to be made , much more than at any other time , if you are out here to make money , now is the time . before the ELD law , and paper log’s were used by all drivers , dispatchers pushed you to the brink , you only had a eight hour brake , and sometime , not even that . you had drivers doing california turnarounds , back to new york in six, seven day’s , running a single driver , hundred mile an hour trucks . takeing pill’s , lawless . it is much much better now , than before . if you intend to make some real money , you need to purchas a truck , not lease purchase , you have to do your home work , know what you are doing , trucking is not an easy job , but can be very rewarding , if run as a business , because that’s what it is , be safe , and good luck .
Jim Smith says
I disagree! ELD’s EXPOSES rampant HOS violations and poor drivers making bad decisions. ELD’s CANNOT cause CRASHES. Monitor your drivers and make them follow legislation. Problem is Carrier always, who by chance employs or contracts the drivers.
Mama Bear says
This kills me!!! We are just a statistic to them. I am fortunate to have some experience on the road and able to make adjustments to appease people who make rules I have to follow for people that have never been on the road or even in a big rig. (Who are you voting for this year?)
Anyway, why don’t they put speed limited on ALL vehicles!! On guard on all vehicles not just big trucks? Why is the professional driver singled out? (By the way, this is a skilled trade.) If they think they are going to eliminate accidents… They are sadly mistaken.
Jack Bukowski says
Started driving back in the 1960’s. If you were tired, you slept. When they put the 14 hour rule in you drove when you had to. Now with the ELD you cannot cheat on the 14 hour rule. Go back to common sense. Let a drive decide when he need rest and when he can drive. Yes, I know several will cheat, but they will have a short lived life in trucking or even in life. My dispatcher used to get P—– at me, What time are you going to be there. Answer trailer will be there about four seconds after the tractor clears the gate.
Kimberly Woods says
Mine was often it will be on time when it gets there, if they wanted at 8 am then 9 am they’ll want it even more.
One of my big questions has always been about hauling the paper rolls to Georgia pacific and others , dispatch/broker says its a HOT load and production will stop if your not there by specific time, but you pull into facility and damn if there several hundred rolls there on site, whats up with that?
Jack says
The ELDs, should only have 2 buttons:. OFF DURY. and Truck brake down. That’s it!
We would drive for 12hrs, not 11!! , and rest for 9!
Where we go, when we stop we decide!… All they need to know is that we were off for 9hrs in a 24hrs period!… THAT’S IT!
Daniel says
I think that the whole trucking Industry is in a sad, horrible spot where they are bringing these Autonomous trucks out to replace drivers and making the entire industry implode with the ELD Mandate where in my opinion was setup for truck drivers to fail so they can simply say “You See General public you are better off with robot trucks it’s much safer.” Hiding the money that not only politicians are making but the Billionaires are producing In these “trucks.” (Weed out the competition, and that’s the truck driver.
Glenn Seefeldt says
They need to work on selfish four wheeler drivers. They make the roads more dangerous than trucks. They race around on our highways cutting in and out of traffic. What really hurts the industry is when they drive down the road in a 20 car train and won’t give a break to trucks so they can pass. Start enforcing the tailgating laws. You have all seen the crap four wheelers are doing out here. If people learn to leave space highways stay rolling. It is not the trucks! Wake up America. Member of OOIDA.
Trevor says
With ELD’s, they are trying box in a non- geometric item. There are too many variables to calculate in order to perform a successful delivery. I’m a new driver, fresh out of school (103.5 hr m.e.l.t. course) and I’m not excited about the eld. I only chose this line of work because the years I spent in construction have done a number on my body. I am paid by the hour and have a family. So for one, I don’t care if traffic or conditions make me late for a delivery. But for a computer to decide that I won’t see my family tonight? That’s a game changer…
Bill lay says
ELD’s are not to blame. The quality of the driver on the road is. I take the month of February off every year to hopefully avoid these bad drivers and bad weather.
Michael Carter says
Just like everything government does it turns to dog do do
Viktor says
I’m owner operator. My favorite speed is 60 mph for best fuel economy. Exceeding that speed only down hill for free, up to legal speed.
But only if i have time. If i have 1400+ mi to go and appointment in two days. I can’t go with the speed i want. Theoretically its possible but life is life. Hills traffics slow you down, than you have to catch up. Sometimes even if trip is 400 mi but started shift before coming to shipper some 20-60 miles. Than shipper took to long to load. So after loaded no time to eat or poop. Not saying about saving fuel. Delivery ofcourse next day morning. And you lucky if there is rest area around the spot where you run out of hours, if not made it to receiver. Than next day late for delivery receiver might take you might not. Maybe by the end of the day will take you. And ups there is no loads now. All companies already closed. Day lost. Will go back home tomorrow. Even tho log book is well rested and 14 hrs available.
Pauline says
Trying to regulate only one aspect of an industry will never fix a problem. Forcing accountability Only for truckers was a one sided solution. The problem has always been the shippers/receivers. When a trucker has to wait on a load at a shipper he can run out of hrs, which now forces him to become “creative” just to get out of the shipping parking lot let alone make the delivery on time.
Regulating how a shipper/receiver handles the incoming and outgoing deliveries will take the pressure off the truck driver to “make it work”, and maybe help to solve the problem of truck traffic and safety…..
TheSquatch says
My thoughts in regards to ELDs for Drivers and Dispatchers.
Drivers:
No one person is created equal. I know people that live on just three to four hours of sleep a night and are wide awake the rest of the day/night even when they are board. (No alarm woke them up they just naturally wake up.) It drives them crazy having to wait for the end of there ten hour rest break to start driving.
I my self have days just like this a few days a month. The rest of the month I am only able to stay awake for six to ten hours at a time and I am unable to stay awake to save my life. After that I have to pull over and sleep for an hour or two just to finish my 11 hour drive.
I would rather there just be a 40 hour work week limit and just like all other jobs any hours beyond 40 hours is time/mile and a half (e.g. $0.50 per mile becomes $0.75 per mile) to a maximum of 70 total combined hours in a seven day period. At the end of 70 hours you may not drive again unless 168 hours (7 days) has passed since the beginning of your 70 hours. Simply if you are On-Duty 70 consecutive hours then you will have to wait 98 hours before you starting getting On-Duty time back.
With this layout there would only be three duty statuses On-Duty, Off-Duty and Sleeperbirth. All work related activities are On-Duty. When the truck starts driving it automatically switches to On-Duty only if you are in Sleeperbirth and the Active User in team situations. Of you are in Off-Duty status and start driving it will stay Off-Duty unless there is trailer connected then it will switch you to On-Duty if you are the Active User
Dispatchers:
No more open spaces and cubicles for Dispatchers. They get a room that is as big as a trucks cab and sleeper with all the same amenities with a window that looks out side thay can open and a door that must be closed for them to be able to work.
They are required to use ELD’s as well. If they are not in the On-Duty status they will not be able to use there work computer and some other stuff. (Phones excluded)
They must be in Sleeper or Off-Duty status for the door to there room to be able to be opened from the inside. (Power outages and fire alarms will always unlock every door and a fire pull switch would have to be in ever room.) The door can be opened from the outside when they are on any duty status though doing so automatically switches them to Sleeper for a minimum of one minute of they are on the On-Duty status. In team situations there would be a bunk in the sleeper area for people that didn’t want to go home at night.
James Bourland says
Well before eld was on paper made $0.68 cpm and with eld and speed governed to 65 average cpm went up to $1.14 cpm and getting better rest ppl still flying by at $0.60 at 75 mph you still making less than I in the slow truck and yes I am a company driver not a lease operator nor a owner operator wondering how I make so much more is to do with time management 100% I have been driving for 39 yrs use to be a Montfort driver you can’t go those speeds any more too much traffic so you must work smarter not harder….part of that mileage per mile is $0-175 per deim cash in my pocket as well if your company don’t pay it it is lost revenue and if they don’t match that your getting screwed can’t claim it like before if you want to talk to me 610780 6099 been averaging $1100 a week guarantee but have made take home pay high as $1500 a week I’m old and help in lower south mid states on a dedicated route
David Meissner says
The issue is not the ELD but the rigorous hours of service rules.
Johnny D says
The actual problem is not with hours of service or the ELD system as a whole. The problem is the industry being regulated to the fullest. except the fact that any idiot can drive a truck now a days. meaning look at all the automatic transmission trucks on the road. Any way back to the point. Drivers are regulated to death and yet shippers are not sitting in a dock for 3-4 hours and longer to get loaded or unloaded is ridiculous. and that said time burns up actual drive time. And yes they are trying to turn the industry into a 9-5 job. The lack of respect on the roads is another reason for that. Everyone is in a hurry pushing the envelope. On paper you used to be able to slip your 10hr break. But the new HOS on the ELD prevents that. And since there is no regulations on shippers all the blame gets shifted to the drivers. And in my 30 years of driving I haven’t met 1 shipper or reciever that knows the laws on HOS.
Roland says
ELD is not the cause of more accidents or fewer miles for the driver. HOS rules are the exact same now as they were prior to ELD. The laws and rules have not changed. what DID change was the way in which a driver records those hours. Whether it is on paper or on ELD the hours are the exact same. An 11 hour drive day is same on paper as on ELD.. 30 minute break needs to be taken during the first 8 hours whether on paper or ELD. I have run both over the years and I prefer ELD. Less headaches and maintenance on logs with ELD. ELD remembers your start and end miles, city or town you are in, etc. When you fuel on paper it takes up a 15 minute block of time… on ELD it only takes the minutes you used so instead of 15 minutes off your 70 hours week, it could be only 7.. a huge savings over time. Anyone who claims that ELD is less efficient and causes you to run fewer miles is wrong.. dead wrong. The only way paper logs will allow more miles is if they are not run properly and legally. Drivers who “fudge” their logs or “get creative” are just falsifying logs and trying to find cute excuses to explain it. HOS rules are exactly the same no matter what you use to record and log them. One of the reasons we need to be on ELD now is that drivers can not be trusted to run their own HOS on paper properly and correctly. Everyone wants to “cheat” and think the rules don’t apply unless you get caught. Sad part is that when a driver does get ticketed for HOS violations they always cry and complain about the damned DOT and how the cop is to blame… when in reality the driver is in control and responsible for his own HOS compliance. It does not matter if you are a company driver in a slow truck, or a owner in a fast truck… HOS are the same for all of us. We all know how many hours we have available to drive… we all know when we are required to take breaks… there is zero excuse for violating HOS on a normal day. (yes, accidents, road closures, and weather are unpredictable and are not a “normal” day)
George Kosmisky says
well said
Rage says
That was dumb
Rage says
1500 to 2000 a week? Lmao so you work part time?
Rage says
Well said sir. Let the cry babies cry
TheSquatch says
Agreed. I was and am all for electronic logs. I hate running paper logs and I don’t believe in fudging logs.
Ether Bawny says
I think its unfortunate that they had to wait out for accidents to accumulate before they figured out the follies of the ELD issues. Imagine all the accidents and possibly lives that may have been saved doing the right things the right way right off the start.
George Kosmisky says
I have been on construction for 40 years and my employer has been in business for 60 years why we need an eld on a truck that is 10000 pounds is beyond me its nothing more than a dual wheel pickup and our driving record says something not having any major accidents in all them years. I will say it has cost the company a lot of money and changed their bidding process to reflect staying over versus driving home due to the eld. Good way to put small companies out of business!
Frank the tank says
I agree with the mandated 10 hour rest period, the rest is garbage. Keep the 14 and 10 hour rules, throw the rest out.
TheRealTrucker says
The 14hour rule why what screws everything. That’s the clock your rushing against.
Rage says
BS
Rage says
So does the murder law right? So that’s why there are so many murders!!! If it was legal I bet we would have less of it, right? SMH
Gus says
Drivers drive fast to keep from running out of time, the dot mess up the highway everywhere causing ten Mile back ups and lots of companies will not allow emergency use because of it, so they speed, see it every day, by the way how do you turn on emergency use??? But worst than that are the driver’s that cannot put the damn phone down and text and drive. I have seen driver’s from every turtle, I am not getting out of the middle Lane, company texting.
Don says
I think we need more drive time weather, traffic, construction, laws (eld) are our biggest enemy hard to make up the time we lost unless you hammer down 10 hr rest is ok but the rest is bull sh..
Cary Robinson says
This is exactly what I predicted. Having commercial vehicles racing a stop watch IS NOT SAFE. The ELD forces drivers to rush, drive faster, push harder. None of these actions contribute to safety. If the idiots at the FMCSA had consulted with experienced professional drivers we could have told them this before the ELD idiocy was mandated.
casey says
I drove for Stevens tankers division for 2 months with an ELD. In Texas, I had 12 hours of on duty time with 8 hours driving time. Because I was doing only regional driving, every time I stopped at a shipper or at a destination, I put myself on off duty. Take a little nap, get loaded, go. Or take a little nap, get unloaded, and go. I was able to average about 30 hours of work time before I ran out of driving hours. The only real “concrete” limit to my driving was the 24 hour reset after 70 hours of on duty. It usually took about a week and a half to reach 70 hours. The ELD’s are useless for short haul. The drivers do what they normally would without ELD’s. They rest when tired and then go back to work after taking a break. I can see how ELD’s could make over the road drivers stop for a rest. But for local drivers, they actually give drivers more time to keep going and if they are like me, I would keep going, taking the next load until the ELD says I’m out of time. If that means I work 30 hours with a couple of naps, then that is what I do.
TheRealTrucker says
It’s not really the eld, it’s the stupid HOS regulations that are ridiculous. The ELD just forces drivers to comply and now they are seeing the results of their stupidity.
Butch McTavish says
ELD forces me to drive tired because it penalizes time if i rest !
Butch McTavish says
Why isn’t this enough to undo this idiotic law?
It makes the road more dangerous!!
Walt says
I still run paper and I still cheat !
Linda says
ELD has only increased accidents but the law makers are not going to admit they made a mistake no matter how many people are at risk. The FMCSA need to let the drivers make the laws they are the ones doing the job and they know what it takes to get it done safely. ELD’s only fatten the pockets of some law makers just like DUI schools fatten the pocket of Judges. don’t the judges the owners of most of the DUI schools.
I think we the people should make the rules for Government employees don’t you.
Kevin B Carey says
Let’s drive 55 for a week and see what the response from shippers receivers carriers dispatchers and broker’s are then the public more accidents 4 wheelers are not governed see if the highway patrols and local governments will take care of all the law abiding citizens driving 4 wheelers zipping around us like they have Death wishes how many do we save daily God Bless America and our Big brother government who know what is best for us damn truckers to get everything the public uses on a daily basis and cussed like we are in their Damn way Well we have families to and get to spend less time with them so life as we know it can go on 55 miles an hour one week no time frame drivers let shippers receivers and the public regain the respect for those of us who DELIVER
Bad Influence says
ELD’s dont make you safe this was argued from day one. I don’t mind using it however there needs to be more flexibility with the ridged 14 hour rule. Do away with the ridiculous 30 minute break after 8 hours and the 14 hour rule. Very simple if you drive 11 hours you have to take a 10 hour break. I dont know why they changed the old 10/8 rule. Now their gonna try a limit speeds on all trucks, more BS regulation. 3 million safe miles and counting with about 6 more 6 years of this crap and you all can have it. Turn my Pete into yard art!!
TBear says
You all need to plan your trips better to be honest.
No one ever said you have to drive right to 11 hrs, and if you actually take the time to understand the limits that the company has put on the ELD , then and only then will you learn how to use it wisely.
( meaning you’ll know what you can tweak and what you can’t).
I’ve been out here 33yrs, ran paper and now run ELD, Yes it’s a little more strict, but you can still run the way you did before. ( To a point)
Have i lost money on ELD? (Overall my pays decreased $15/pay period.)
Do I run tired? (No)
Am I the Captain of my ship? ( Absolutely! If i legally cannot do what is asked, I don’t do it or I ask them to repower it).
You! Only you as a driver, has the power to control what your truck does, if the company fires you or you quit, the obviously it wasn’t the right company for you.
Greg allen says
All I know is that B4 ELDs I could nap when I got sleepy go in and sit down and eat and when off at home didn’t have to leave 2to3 hrs. ahead of time to be on time. You could visit family and friends out of town fish do a lot of things without rushing and still be on time. Trucking used to be a job of freedom now it like being back in high school or worst like in prison.🤮